Note: BLM and USFS will not address these development proposals further until a final decision is made on these leases through the EIS on Existing Oil and Gas Leases on the White River National Forest described above.

SG Interest Proposals:

BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have received six applications for permit to drill (APDs) from SG Interests in the Thompson Divide Area. Two of the six APDs are currently considered complete. We have also received two additional Notices of Staking, which is a step that precedes submitting an APD. These 6 APDs and two NOSs are proposed on a total of five well pad locations.

Once the agencies have received complete APDs, the Forest Service will begin an Environmental Assessment, which will include a well-advertised opportunity for public involvement.

BLM received a request from SG Interests to suspend its leases in Thompson Divide on Feb. 13, 2013. To view that request, click here . On March 28, 2013, BLM received an another suspension request from SG Interests, this time for two leases in Thompson Divide and within the proposed Lake Ridge Unit. SG Interests acquired these two leases from Encana on March 1, 2013. To view the second suspension request, click here .

Ursa Piceance Proposals:

Antero Resources began working on the Lava Boulder Creek Exploratory Development Program for a lease within the Thompson Divide in 2009 in Mesa and Pitkin counties. The Forest Service is preparing an environmental assessment of this proposal. The EA was released for public comment Sept. 27-Oct. 29, 2012. The Forest Service continues to work on this EA and at this time does not have an estimate for when it will complete the final decision. The proposal is for four wells on a single well pad. BLM has received one application for permit to drill and is awaiting completion of the Forest Service EA. Antero Resources recently sold these leases to Ursa Piceance LLC.

In August 2012 BLM received a proposal from Antero to unitize its seven leases in this area, known as the "Wolf Springs Unitization Proposal." The unitization proposal would include leases in Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin counties. BLM is reviewing this request.

BLM received a request from Ursa Piceance LLC to suspend its leases in the Thompson Divide on Feb. 19, 2013. To view that request, click here .